Exfoliating is one of my favorite skin care steps. After I exfoliate my skin feels so fresh
and I feel like my complexion is back to it's natural state. Especially after a long day out in the sun my skin is sweaty, my face is flustered from the heat, and my skin just feels so gross. I have a sense of relief exfoliating because it feels like I'm taking off layers of grime and dead skin cells and my skin can re-emerge vitalized and fresh. Sadly a lot of people choose not to exfoliate because they're told its only for people with dry skin, but that isn't true. I myself have oily and dry combination skin, mostly on the oily side, but yet my skin feels fantastic after I exfoliate. Exfoliating does a lot for your skin, and it is a step in your shower you don't want to miss. Exfoliating does clear away dry and dead skin, but also increases the radiance of your skin, and increases the youthfulness of your skin. These are just a few of the benefits.
It Helps Prevent Acne and unclogs your pores
For anyone who suffers with acne, whiteheads, blackheads, and scarring, you definitely want to make sure you are exfoliating. Exfoliating effectively helps to unclog your pores, by removing any dead skin cells, and removing any debris that could cause your pores to clog up. This is important, because by doing this you avoid having to deal with future whiteheads, and blackheads, these little monsters are such a pain to deal with. Dead skin seals over pores, when your skin secretes oil it gets trapped under the dead skin, causing breakouts. Breakouts also include acne, by keeping the pores unclogged you are also in effect preventing acne breakouts.
It improves skin tone and texture
When you exfoliate it encourages the skin renewal process, removing dead skin cells and making way for new radiant skin cells. So if you're suffering from dull rough skin patches, exfoliating will help with that. If you suffer from acne scars, hyper pigmentation, dry dull skin, dark spots, exfoliation will help break down the dry dead skin, and over time smooth the texture, to help the skin look more even. Exfoliating helps keep fresh healthy cells at the surface of your skin, so your skin looks radiant, leaving your skin feeling baby soft.
Helps with blood flow and circulation
When you exfoliate your skin, it causes blood to come closer to the surface of your skin, causing a rosy flush on your skin. Improved blood flow means improved collagen production which helps skin stay firm and youthful. Since exfoliating helps with stimulating the production of collagen, it's naturally anti aging, and helps with fine lines and wrinkles.
Helps your other skin care products to be more effective
Since exfoliating helps unclog your pores by removing dry dying or dead skin cells, your other skincare products can penetrate the skin and work more effectively. If you want your moisturizers and serums to really be effective, consider adding exfoliation into your skin care routine.
When to exfoliate
I spoke to a good friend of mine on some advice on when and how to exfoliate. She's a top rated esthetician with over 13 years of experience. She shared these words with me: "If you have normal, dry, or oily skin you could include exfoliation into your everyday skincare routine. If you have very sensitive skin, or reactive skin one or two times a week is preferred. When you exfoliate you can use a washcloth, an exfoliant like a skin care product designed for that, a soap with exfoliating materials in it, and even a mask (not everyday). You want to avoid harsh materials on the skin, such as crushed apricot or walnut shells because it scrapes your skin microscopically, causing tears, and damages collagen which effects the elasticity of your skin." You want to use soft gentle exfoliants on the face, and don't rub too hard that your skin is red and raw and causes other issues to the skin. Gentle circular motions for a minute or so, and when drying your face, gently pat try with a towel.
Exfoliating is something you want to include in your skin care routine, the benefits are amazing and have lasting effects. Remember to use soft gentle exfoliants, you don't want to use the foot scrub you use to clear dead skin off your feet, on your face. Also remember to use gentle circular motions to stimulate blood flow. A physical exfoliant that contains small little seeds like cranberry, poppy seeds, or little beads can be used once or twice a week, and daily you can use a wash cloth. Don't scrub harshly or pull on your face with your wash cloth. If you decide to do a mask, or a chemical exfoliant that can be done once or twice week. Listen to your skin, everyone';s skin is different, you don't want to over do it. If you have very sensitive skin stay away from doing at home chemical peels, and exfoliate only once or twice a week. If your skin reacts harshly to what you choose to use, stop using that item, and reach out to a dermatologist or skin care specialist (esthetician) for some helpful advice on what would work best for your skin. Use soft non harsh soaps, and mild moisturizers if this occurs.
Here at Soap Etiquette we offer some amazing, natural, non harsh exfoliating soaps at a great price. Check out our soaps below. These soaps can be used on your whole body. The ingredients help with detoxing the skin, and removing any dry dead skin cells, to reveal fresh healthy new cells.
Thank you for reading! Much love from
The Soap Etiquette Family